Many infants and young children using mobile devices every day

Many infants and young children using mobile devices every day - This is probably no surprise to anyone who has paid attention to the world around them, but a study just published in the journal Pediatrics indicates that 44% of children under 1 using mobile devices every day. At the age of 2, which passes 77%.

At 4 years, half of the children in the study had their own TV - and three-quarters had their own mobile device. And it was not rich nor children; the study was conducted in low-income urban practice in Philadelphia.

When the researchers asked parents about the different situations in which they let their children use the devices, this is what they said:

   *  70% allow children to use for tasks they could do  
   *  65% use them to keep the child calm in a public place  
   *  58% have used them during the races  
   *  29% of them used to put their children to sleep
 
Now, as a parent, I see quite how to have a smartphone can make all the difference when you are unexpectedly trapped in a boring place with a child who must be calm and quiet. And it is quite possible that some of these children are doing on their devices educational activities that help them learn, or using Skype or Face Time with a friend or relative.

But again, this is worrying. Dr. Dimitri Christakis like, a pediatrician at the University of Washington to study the effect of media on young children, he said in a recent New York Times, "Children need more rounds of applications." We've all been in situations where people interact with their phones and not the other. Radesky Dr. Jenny did a study where we observed families in fast-food restaurants and an alarming number of parents was found to pay . more attention to your phone for your child's interaction with adults is essential for brain development of children -. and build strong relationships Interaction with devices simply can not replace. 

When my children were young, so we went wherever they might need to be calm and patient, who was always ready - with books, small toys, pencils and paper, and some games to play (I Spy, Guess what I am I thought, etc.) do not see too many parents who do. What I see is that parents give their children a tablet or smartphone.

Only time will tell what effect this will have on the children; we will need years to understand if and how it affects their brains and their relationships. While we wait, we must try to do what we know works well for both. So, parents - with the smartphone, pack of crayons. And keep in mind, before turning on the iPad, put your child on your lap and play I Spy.  
By: Claire McCarthy, MD